LILLEY UNLEASHED: LCBO's $2.5 billion in sales isn't about retail alcohol sales

Sun political columnist Brian Lilley says it’s a fallacy that without the LCBO the Province of Ontario will miss out on $2.5 billion in monies for Education and Health Care. And adds that money is equivalent to 1.25 % of the Ontario Budget.

[@whisperienced]

Lcbo goes on strike over selling in retail. Locking customers out of getting liquor for two weeks. Making the best case to privatize.

[@rickwallace2091]

Exactly the public is really going to get into their corner now. Time for them to go. Come on, did they really think this would last forever for them?

[@AB-ho1cr]

Have fun paying twice as much for alcohol. Tobacco products double in price in Ontario this very month dummy. Federal tax isn’t even half of provincial.

[@user-ze3sg6ix1u]

They're socialists, they HATE competition, they love monopolies when they do it. And they will weaponize compassion to preserve their entitlements. In this case they're invoking the healthcare system lmao. And when people want school choice they have similar arguments

[@CNotez-uo8kp]

Yeah you'd think the big resistance would have come during the first step, not when (at least beer and wine) are available elsewhere already.

[@brendagriecken2915]

When you privatize you impoverish most of the people selling the liquor to make the few wealthier.

[@davidlindell9605]

After growing up in Ontario and moving to Alberta 19 years ago, the difference between the two systems is like night and day. I never realized how restricted the Ontario run system was.

[@kennordsfan1494]

@@GeometryDashRadioThere is more choice for one, the other even Costco has liquor stores in Alberta with products that our old ALCB(Alberta Liquor control board) would have never had. Sobeys, Superstore, Wine and Beyond, Ace Liquor,Olympia Liquor which you can try a before you buy is their model. There is actual sales from store to store. Last night for instance I bought a 24 pack of Labatts blue in cans for 43.99 which most other stores are 49 to 52 right now. Most Liquor stores price match lol. The hours are much better as well no 8 to 4 here. I think at some store you can buy until midnight. No the LCBO is outdated and a union shop that don’t can about any of the above.

[@a.c.e.7568]

That is because Ontario is a nanny province. That would also apply to most things in Canada.

[@vxCOCOxv]

Same! You have one every few blocks and they’re open late but 7 days a week. I remember how crappy it was last vacation trying to find a 6 pack at 9 PM. Here you don’t even have to drive 3-4 blocks and you have 2 in either direction open until 2 am!

[@tricesimo]

This strike is showing just how useless this union is

[@a.c.e.7568]

Like anything run in a monopoly, they are grossly overpaid.

[@darrininverarity4297]

It’s not the Union that’s useless,it’s the product they are selling that’s useless.

[@tricesimo]

@@a.c.e.7568 Add to that the fact that they are a public-sector union...

[@this_time_imperfect]

It's almost like government run services are horribly wasteful...

[@marypigott6340]

Lol..good one.

[@tillyburton5402]

BS.... hate they use school as a tool for their raises.

[@Yungcarl2000]

It’s a 7.5% increase over 3 years, that’s not half the rate of inflation we’ve already been hit with, not much of a raise

[@kk-rc6dw]

​@@Yungcarl2000They work hard slinging 24 s Tallboys, full boxes all day. Heavy work for ladies, but best moving boxes ever.

[@AB-ho1cr]

@@kk-rc6dwYou’re an evil moron. You think this is in your best interest and not a play to phase out federally sold alcohol to tax it even more than the federal government? When you pay twice as much to drink and there’s no one else at the bar because they’re homeless give yourself a big pat on the back for standing against single moms who work at the lcbo!

[@mark_beastpriest5539]

Schools = Grooming, not teaching, so there's no loss, realky.

[@chris2words]

@@Yungcarl2000 alot more than they will get if we privatize ...like Govt . should !

[@Duncangonefishin]

There's no reason for this outdated model LCBO any longer. Shut it down !

[@durkdiggler4346]

YES

[@mmcer]

Absolutely, time to catch up with the rest of the world.

[@joywebster2678]

And will privatizing it reach our huge provinces remote locations like a government mandated one does. Try being up in James Bay, one of the only " regular stores" is the LCBO. Some private group won't be at the end of road train access in the Hudson Bay region, yet people live there by mandate. Too many only think of Toronto, GTA lifestyle and opportunities.

[@cheaze69]

​@joywebster2678 if people have money, there will be booze.

[@user-xd7ui1wf8h]

Close the LCBO. It is 1950's thinking. Why drive 20 miles to get a bottle of whiskey, when you could walk down to the corner store. Save the planet.

[@maltymusk]

Fantasy land. Doesn't exist even in your favourite province

[@Tribuneoftheplebs]

​@@maltymusk i work at the liqour store a block away from my house in alberta. Its the size of 2.5 living rooms but is filled with liqour for the neighborhood

[@CanadianForPutin2.0]

@@maltymusk That's literally the majority of the world. LOL

[@maltymusk]

@@Tribuneoftheplebs I thought I just read in a beer newspaper, the Alcohol Gaming refused some sort of alcoholic beverage from being sold in a variety store... I'll check the paper I still have it

[@darrinsteven7002]

@@maltymusk 🤔😐😔😲

[@nickcheema907]

shutdown the LCBO

[@ericmini2269]

Ontario will make more revenue if they made it private and have more money in their coffers. It is not complicated but politicians always make things this way on purpose. Instead of getting rid of waste they always add to it.

[@Yungcarl2000]

Real easy for you, per capita numbers are skewed- doesn’t take in to account, age , religion or drinking habits etc - Ontario makes profit off the drink + tax , Alberta does not , hence 800ms vs 2.5 billion differential

[@maltymusk]

So many free kegs, wines, spirits go to bars and restaruants already, evading taxes, this will be double and tripled under a fully private system

[@user-ze3sg6ix1u]

​@@Yungcarl2000 the differential is because of the population size genius. Imagine shilling for this nonsense. In Alberta MORE stores sell liquor, vs LCBO which has far fewer locations. You got some socialist reasoning there

[@gregorymckenna6609]

Please provide proof of your statement. Even Ford and the minister responsible for the LCBO don’t know if it will make more money.

[@user-ze3sg6ix1u]

@@gregorymckenna6609 The very fact that youre even shilling for the govt to have a monopoly on liquor is telling. So why don't we get the govt to sell EVERYTHING based on your logic? Because we HAVE to make sure the greedy govt is getting their cut before we think about consumers first? Lmao the govt can learn to spend their money wisely, private companies aren't supposed to get special protection from the free market so neither should the govt.

[@TonyBongo869]

How long’s it been since we went private in Alberta? 25, 30 years, wow, good times.

[@robgraham5320]

And as they say, Alta returns more $$ to the government coffers, per capita, than the LCBO does to the Ontario gov't. The private stores still have to charge the gov't levies on the product.

[@TonyBongo869]

@@robgraham5320 absolutely, and the Alberta government held onto the distribution part of the business, no stores, fewer unionized workers, same or better profits

[@dcpete5475]

Get rid of the LCBO

[@AB-ho1cr]

So you can pay even more in provincial tax? Use your little brain for two seconds man an go look up new nicotine tax in Ontario as of July 1st.

[@dcpete5475]

@@AB-ho1cr ok boy with your tiny brain. Lcbo is ancient and done Adios. Stop smoking and drinking

[@recceeboy1237]

​@@AB-ho1crhow much should we pay shelf stockers, 42.50 seems a bit rich. I love using the combo stores in small towns no fuss, no attitude just simple transactions and they are still open.

[@jimmypeeps8471]

Destroy the Monopoly. Buddy up here crying about taxes lol what a silly comment. Obviously they've never been to Alberta. Because it's not a monopoly, individual stores can have individual prices. You'll get booze cheaper now in some cases. Taxes lol get rid of the carbon tax, problem solved. It's a scam anyway.

[@huggybear3098]

​@@AB-ho1crthat's a federal tax....tax amounts won't change ...put away your liberal calculator it doesn't work

[@user-ju2fo4on8x]

We need this Craziness and all these Crazy lies to end.

[@derekellisCAN]

Shut the LCBO down and privatize alcohol.

[@Audiodreamer192-24]

Yup works for me!

[@joeyjeanveau1349]

totally agree, as someone who moved from Alberta to Ontario, it's absolutely ridiculous that Ontario alcohol is still governed from the government.....

[@BigMike42024]

Alcohol distribution should be privatized like everywhere else in the world. This monopoly is a disservice to the public.

[@tonycommisso4096]

Countries like Japan, Germany and Italy have vending machines that sell alcohol, the union wants to status quo for the LCBO.

[@davidlynch9049]

Japan does. Here in Germany, no, but it's privatized.

[@maltymusk]

​@@davidlynch9049two different cultures

[@charlesbeltington-smythe9229]

Where's all the enrichment supposed to shoplift their liquor from now?!

[@maltymusk]

Corner stores, the results will be a disaster for small business owners

[@darrinsteven7002]

@@maltymusk Alberta has been doing it for Decades.

[@CNotez-uo8kp]

​@@darrinsteven7002 It was a different world then, friend. Comments above yours still stand.

[@adamhughes2564]

SK had a gov't owned LCBO then let the private sector compete ... guess what booze is cheaper in SK and the gov't run liquor authority was shutdown last year .... Say good bye to the LCBO folks ... just a matter of time!

[@markdeacon7289]

Taxes in Saskatchewan are ridiculous on liquor and alcohol compared to Alberta

[@johnburns8660]

Let's get rid of the union jobs and hire more TFWs.

[@memorycardgaming1148]

Privatizing gas stations was also to help make gas cheaper, and it did! .... For only 10 years. This is short sighted thinking, and we will be paying more in the long run. Getting price gouged like gas and groceries.

[@dra6o0n]

Interestingly no one cares about a LCBO. If it comes to booze and such, most people don't care, and people who don't smoke or drink are indifferent.

[@dra6o0n]

​@@memorycardgaming1148It basically works until a corporation monopolizes by buying out others.

[@gschas]

Shut the LCBO down. Pass the legislation and get on with it, Doug Ford. Other retailers are willing and capable of taking on liquor sales as they already do it in other jurisdictions.

[@jds1616]

The system works good in Alberta and is a model that Ontario should follow.

[@maltymusk]

Two different provinces. Alberta has oil and energy to tax and fund programs. And those workers put money into the economy. Ontario is a service economy. No need to risk the revenues from LCBO, unless Ford Donor's need repayment

[@jds1616]

@@maltymusk Actually the Alberta Government still controls all the Liquor and wine, they just don't run the retail stores. They sell the alcohol to the Private sector. So it is a good model and creates a lot of employment as there are more liquor stores than ever before. Cheers

[@UzumakiNaruto_]

@@jds1616 We already have enough liquor stores. How many more do you need? Does it have to be as plentiful as weed stores for you to be happy?

[@TomJones-th1qs]

No more monopolies. Defund the LCBO.

[@richardcovello5367]

Saw this on "Clyde Do Something" this morning: LCBO price for a 750ml bottle of Canadian Club whiskey is $32.15. The price for the same bottle in one Calgary Alta. liquor store is $21.99 #trudeaufortreason

[@tonydamiani7353]

And about 12 bucks anywhere else in the world

[@culshie]

Anyone who has travelled outside of Ontario will know, whether they are in Ireland, England or South Carolina Alcohol is both cheaper and there is a greater abundance of choice either in Liquor Stores or in big Box Stores and Supermarkets, the L.C.B.O. and the terrible Union that is O.P.S.E.U. are about to be schooled on reality.

[@tammymcleod9860]

Will alcohol now be cheaper?

[@RodMac1]

@culshie it's cheaper in the states but not much difference in other provinces

[@RodMac1]

@@tammymcleod9860 no

[@tertur2957]

The reason it is cheaper in South Carolina is due to lower tax on alcohol. The wine and beer in Ontario grocery stores is the same price it is in LCBO.

[@RodMac1]

@@tertur2957 and better paying jobs with puts back into the community's

[@anthonysmz3]

LCBO and SAQ here in Quebec are some of the biggest alcohol purchasers in the world, and can negotiate better deals from it's international suppliers, think COSCO big, yet they have the some of the highest prices for consumers because of their monopolistic nature. Their margins are way bigger than any privately own liquor shop yet they keep going on strike. That money isn't going into the educational system or any other system but to government employees who believe they deserve 25$/hour to be a cashier, managers at 150k a year and government appointed executives making over half a million.

[@johnburns8660]

Are you sure of those numbers?

[@anthonysmz3]

@@johnburns8660 went on a rant but still overpaid, i change to the right values. Thanks for calling me out.

[@anzyxx]

BS. Check prices in US

[@catc8233]

LCBO is not needed anymore. Close the monopoly. Just like milk and cheese and telecommunications

[@curtissears8878]

Useless unions

[@sviinfinity1559]

Unions were useful in 1900 In 1930, they were run by the mafia, And the was a reason why. Today are completely useless They cause only problems

[@AB-ho1cr]

& that’s why everyday they’re some of the only people who can afford to live in Justin and Fords Canada. Go live in China if you like talking money out of single mom’s pockets that much. Over 33% increase on tobacco products this year in provincial tax dummy. Go read a book or something.

[@oscarjetson128]

It’s not the union that is outdated, it’s the monopoly system that is. The LCBO has its place in Ontario, but there is no reason why convenience stores can’t sell beer and coolers. Quebec has its share of problems, but their model of alcohol sales seems to work.

[@carminelombardi9575]

Since private retailers would sell instead of LCBO, there's no high workforce cost, nor management and marketing. Therefore more revenue comes in for the benefit of Ontarians.

[@Tribuneoftheplebs]

True. I work at a small liqour store in Alberta making minimum wage. Love the job because its so chill with zero bureaucracy. Just a kind owner/boss

[@gregorymckenna6609]

A few points: let’s say you are correct about more revenue although both Ford and the minister could not guarantee more revenue, corner stores will be more likely to be robbed, employees killed for a bottle of alcohol, drunk driving will increase, young people will easily get alcohol (drive by any school and you will most likely see underage children smoking, alcohol related illnesses may increase thus costing our healthcare millions of taxpayer dollars. Also, good paying jobs pump a lot of money in to our economy. If the LCBO disappears our economy will suffer. Most of what I have written above are facts from the USA. All this so people can get their alcohol. People need to think about all the consequences before making a decision.

[@talon1706]

@@gregorymckenna6609 They said the same when weed was legalized. They said the same when the drinking age was lowered. "The sky is falling":. Lol.

[@JasonBrohman-wv1dr]

@@gregorymckenna6609 Facts from the USA are not necessarily the same for Canada. Fact check Alberta instead. We are much closer in culture.

[@carminelombardi9575]

@@gregorymckenna6609 I simply made an economical comment, however I do prefer the distribution model of the LCBO, but the union is leading it to its destruction.

[@kenlompart9905]

People fail to realize if alcohol sales were privatized the government would save tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars in union wages and on what they pay to lease those huge LCBO stores.

[@johnburns8660]

Right. We can get TFWs to do the jobs.

[@UzumakiNaruto_]

You're giving people jobs where putting booze everywhere isn't creating more jobs. Walmart isn't going to hire more people to manage a liquor section. Also I don't know why people want booze to be even more accessible than it already is.

[@kenlompart9905]

@@UzumakiNaruto_ Wrong, if the government privatizes the sale of liquor that would include LCBO stores already in service which they would still need people to work at. Liquor sales are private in most places around the world and is no increase in alcoholism or drunk driving accidents.

[@UzumakiNaruto_]

@@kenlompart9905 *Liquor sales are private in most places around the world and is no increase in alcoholism or drunk driving accidents.* Most places around the world don't have the level of diversity that Canada has. Look at all the car accidents we have even with the LCBO and all the crazy people walking around our streets already. I don't trust many Canadians to be responsible enough to handle having liquor of all types available everywhere.

[@johnburns8660]

Every vendor has a cost of sales.

[@kevinwells4786]

Went too N.S. last year was amazed at the availibility of alcohol was IMPRESIVE!! I LIKE IT I WANT IT IN DRY ONTARIO

[@jackyback3975]

Alcohols should be privatize in Ontario. Should be available in Walmart's, Costco and many food stores. Ford should lessens from Reagan action in 1981 with the Air Traffic Controller strike

[@johnburns8660]

They all got the lesson.

[@TripReviews]

Remember not all Walmarts and other stores sell spirits wine or beer in the states, its regional rules and regs that dictate.

[@jackyback3975]

@@TripReviews Canada does not have to follow USA. Unless Canada i s USA colony

[@TripReviews]

@@jackyback3975 never said that, just saying don’t think it will be that much different here. Not all Walmarts follow the same marketing programs sometimes due to local regs which I’m pretty sure could differ from town to town as they could perhaps set their own rules as to distribution locations, so don’t go thinking you’re going to get your bottle of vodka at the same place you buy your underwear, don’t get your hopes up just yet.

[@user-gk8jc7nk3h]

**THANK YOU FORD !!!! **....STOP THIS LCBO CURRUPTION....PLEASE GET THINGS PRIVATE ....ASAP ( WE HAVE CLOWNS ON )

[@ldd9672]

Close LCBO Doug were waiting…lets go 😀

[@pathegreat3727]

The LCBO is government sponsored racketeering….

[@w.s.2102]

But who's going to ask me to donate to Pride activities when I'm at checkout? 🏳️‍🌈

[@smerchly]

The local Beer Store had four Bud Light pillars in front of their doors last week and the guy ahead of me had 2 cases of Bud Light. If they asked me to donate to :pride" I would walk out without my beer! Get your beer , booze and groceries in N.Y. We get more bang from our Canuck buck there. Ford is a con man who pushes booze ,free license plates and higher highway speeds but neglects our hospitals.

[@Najeeb706]

Ya no kidding.

[@chrisrutledge9330]

Too funny! As if 3 levels of government are not already contributing our money. What about the one some months ago that was to "help plant trees" - (Because Trudeau bungled that one?)

[@ldd9672]

😂

[@Rob-oy2hr]

They really ask for money for pride? LMFAO 😅

[@krisboucher37]

Our healthcare sucks. Our education system sucks. What the hell are they talking about. Government shouldn’t be involved in anything. If the government is involved you know right there it will fail.

[@RobertWilson17]

Whether people purchase their liquor from a government run store or a privately run store, the government is still going to collect the taxes. No money will be lost.

[@brettfavreify]

If the province gets off its ass and permits a couple of mines in Northern Ontario, you'll get that money back in spades. Get busy, bureaucrats.

[@chrisbraceland3743]

If it going to hurt schools and hospital revenue than why the hell are they on strike? Get back to work and get rid of your dam union and put the money in your pocket.

[@maltymusk]

They're on strike for a future

[@maryfuoco2282]

There is no way a cashier should make more than a dry waller. I am going to boycott LCBO for forever

[@maltymusk]

Good drywallers make much more. Cashiering is one small slice of the pie. There's more lifting then I think many in these comments have the will for, regardless of pay

[@Najeeb706]

They have had their day, let's modernize. Get OPSEU out the way.

[@khazdor]

All Unions should be forced back to what they are supposed to do. Protect the Workers. NOT playing political and word salad games. They have gotten Too Big and Too Powerful to be let loose. And this coming from a Union Man.

[@susanbhatt3128]

Hear hear! I agree 100%

[@Ellie.12866]

If the government runs it then the employees are over-paid, it's inefficient and not worth the cost to taxpayers. If private citizens can open a weed shop then they should also be allowed to open a liquor store. Healthy competition is good and will keep prices in check. I don't drink or do any drugs but I am sick of government waste.

[@wiyball]

Ha they used kids and grandparents as the clinch pin for the jab. Now they’re trying for alcohol… if people don’t see their humanity is being manipulated… we’re in more trouble than I thought.

[@pacman3556]

nobody is trying to control you. Nobody even wants to know you. You boiled potato.

[@maltymusk]

Unvaxed and I stand with LCBO worker's to keep their jobs as I stood with Truckers doing the same thing. Unsure of your background..

[@wiyball]

@@maltymusk 20 years ago the ceo of LcBo got the rights for liquor sales inside Ontario. A bottle of Canadian club in Japan is 12$ Canadian a bottle of Canadian club in Canada 33$+. We dont need more government funded we need more private. Albertas liquor which is not government owned gives more money back to their province then Ontarios government run outlet. Edit: my background ? Canadian I supported the truckers.

[@pacman3556]

@@maltymusk FREEDUUUMMMB!!!

[@maltymusk]

@@pacman3556 spelled it wrong mate. It's freedom.

[@chuckynorr1]

I dont support the strike at all.

[@Adam-pn7re]

1.25% of provincial revenue? Think they could cut the tax easily enough. Looking at $12 canadian club abroad to our $45 is ludicrous

[@brianwaldo2642]

No government entities in Canada should be involved in retail sales. That belongs in the private sector only. The savings to taxpayers in removing the costs associated with the LCBO would be enormous and yet, the excise taxes could still be funnelled into the government coffers. Cheaper, more accessible liquor for consumers, a revenue stream for businesses and taxes for the government, a win for everyone.

[@rickwallace2091]

You know this union has such a weak argument, they throw out there about the premier’s handling of the science centre, teachers, health care, etc, and just can’t keep it LCBO specific. Now throwing out BS like that is enough for me. They guys need to go

[@jordanluenz9263]

I work at a liquor store here in Alberta. :) If you need a tipple, come visit out here this summer. Last summer, Manitoba's stores went on strike, & I sold loads of liquor to travelling Manitobans.

[@brettthomas5605]

Hey guess what, Alberta privatized alcohol sales some 30 years ago. Those taxes are still rolling into the provincial coffers!! We still have schools,hospitals other public facilities available in Alberta

[@HypocriticYT]

Liquor costs pennies a bottle, why are we gullible enough to pay so much more?

[@dericksmith2137]

The best way to see this is to visit a duty free. When you see our Canadian booze being sold in the US, even with a big ‘IMPORTED’ sticker on it, being sold for far less than we pay! That’s after the cost of the sticker and transportation, it’s still significantly cheaper in the US? So what’s the difference? Just TAXES!

[@MaxxGrey60]

Ontario does not need the LCBO Why do we need somebody in Ontario to control? I think Alberta and other provinces are doing just fine without a control board

[@thomasmacdonald8248]

Been alcohol free for 5 yrs,leave them on strike go private

[@nickcheema907]

It was great walking into the Costco liquor store in Calgary last week. Fantastic service, selection and prices

[@wheatcandle]

It's free to shop at the LCBO. Costco charges you to enter the store.

[@rosesmith3675]

Not the liquor store. Free to enter here in AB

[@gordlace6598]

Who wants to go to Costco and Walmart and stand in line for a bottle.

[@nickcheema907]

@@rosesmith3675 exactly

[@nickcheema907]

@@gordlace6598 no lines to purchase at the Costco store which is separate from the main Costco store.

[@loranddeka]

They're just scared of actually having to compete

[@lorraineperron4840]

Go private ,let merchants buy and sell with freedom. We pay three times the price compared to USA and 5 times compared to Italy for wine ,beer and brandy/vodka etc .SCRAP IT, GO PRIVATE!

[@jlo2753]

yea, if LCBO is so important to schools and healthcare, maybe they should be a hero and take a paycut so there's more money for schools and healthcare. only in canada can a crown corporation have a monopoly on alcohol. everywhere else in the world has alcohol at local corner store.

[@charlesstacey3824]

Government and Crown Corp employees should not have right to strike….they are well-paid, extremely well pensioned, have better benefits and superior job security than any other workers.

[@tammyhaase7933]

You forgot to mention that if he didn't break the contract it wouldn't cost over 600 million of taxpayers $

[@TPMikeJ]

Interested to see the stats if you consider eliminating The Beer Store monopoly and adding those revenues to the coffers. Ontario needs to take charge of its immigration as well, way to many immigrants sucking the system dry.

[@richardcovello5367]

The Beer Store enterprise is owned and operated by the breweries association of Ontario (Don't know if that's its official name). The point is: It is a private sector business. #trudeaufortreason

[@TPMikeJ]

@@richardcovello5367 I know, it operates under AGCO and is a monopoly. If they went Alberta's route there would be no reason for The Beer Store

[@ltlppl7917]

And don't spend as much , because some religions don't allow to drink alcohol...

[@maltymusk]

We're holding the line. Long and strong, whatever it takes to get the language we need for job protection.

[@snakepond2716]

Screw alcohol. Hopefully this gets people in better shape and less drunk driving accidents.

[@MattSmith8591]

Stop The Liquor Monopoly!

[@jody-ne7xs]

Boycott LCBO

[@patriotcanuck6485]

The majority of LCBO's profits are from the sky high taxes we pay for alcohol. I bet hardly any of that money goes where they are saying it goes. Doug Ford came out and said, Ontario will never sell alcohol or spirits in corner stores. After I heard that I said to myself, you wanna bet, criminal?

[@fantabuloussnuffaluffagus]

If you credit the LCBO for contributions to health care, you also need to debit them for the health and social costs of alcoholism.

[@dougjames4533]

Liquor store workers in Alberta work for minimum wage without benefits. Once upon a time ALCB workers had a living wage with pension and benefits. Full time jobs.

[@HypocriticYT]

You can’t sort through the lies to get to the truth because it’s all lies

[@rongraham1951]

we have marijuana retail stores on almost every corner why the uproar about alcohol get a life OPSEU

[@LisaG442]

Great investigative reporting Lilly, this is what is needed. Facts and data. Not fairytales and pixie dust

[@maltymusk]

Didn't feel it was deep at all.

[@LisaG442]

@@maltymusk That’s called being a Debbie Downer .. go read The Star then ..

[@leofortey7561]

What we really need is free-trade between provinces. It is still illegal to buy a case of beer from Quebec and drive it into Ontario! Pure insanity.

[@chrislavalley]

The LCBO was created in 1927 with the end of prohibition, which had been introduced in the province in 1916. The Liquor Control Act, 1927 authorized the LCBO to "control the sale, transportation and delivery" of alcoholic beverages in Ontario. It's time to modernize this antiquated institution and put more money into health and education!

[@charlesworld9114]

Intelligent, succinct, and responsible. Thank you Mr. Lilley.

[@anitamaria4173]

During the days of Ralph Klein, many things were privatized. It was a HUGE benefit to the citizens. Thanks to privatization, Alberta prospered and became debt free. Other provinces could stand to benefit from these policies!

[@dougpattison5499]

LCBO is just 1 more reason I'm glad I moved to Alberta!!

[@veronicafifer5596]

I live in Alberta and frequently visit Ontario. Alberta liquor stores privately run have more selection and better prices, and one stop shopping. Don't get me started on the ridiculous Brewers Retail. Alberta government taxes collected from retailers, but the savings come from private sector retailers NOT government run inefficiencies!!!

[@larrylehmann2113]

I remember the grey shelving and a slip of paper with your order in pencil ..close them all ..corner store all the way!

[@alastairclarke]

I've lived in both ON and AB. I would love to support the LCBO and the branch that I used to frequent in Rosedale is gorgeous (converted train station). Most liquor stores in AB are not beautiful shops (I'm partial to the Costco liquor store) but they offer dirt-cheap booze. My guess is that most workers at AB liquor stores are making minimum wage ($15 hourly) or just above. And, to be fair, service is not spectacular. LCBO workers are getting paid around $28 hourly and, to an extent, the workers are much more knowledgeable. The question is: should the government be doing retail? I have to agree with Lilley that the $2.5B for education, etc is a total red herring. It seems pretty clear that more $$ would go into government coffers under the AB model. Voters simply need to accept they are subsidizing retail LCBO workers. Personally, I support unions and I support basic living wages. AB liquor workers are likely barely making ends meet. But let's just be honest.

[@berry1669]

Do the same thing in BC, those employees are totally overpaid, private will reduce prices and better service

[@rodgergarvie327]

The Government would Double the sales and make more Money getting out of the Booze Business! Over Paid Stock Boys and Cashiers on government payroll is Ridiculous. Not to meantion the Over Paid Management positions of 3.5 Million a Year!! Close LCBO and Beer Stores!

[@stevetomkiewicz621]

I’ve travelled across Canada for work, and what I noticed was, almost everywhere else, outside of Ontario, alcohol is generally more expensive. I’m okay with LCBO.

[@briancrowe8401]

Once again Brian you made a commentary based on facts,stats and the truth.Hard for someone to argue against stupid ridiculous comments when the facts show otherwise.

[@maltymusk]

If you think a 2 minute video is a debate, then we'll, you truly are from the year 2024

[@fidelcerda4594]

Privatized all.

[@tonyfulford3175]

Goodbye LCBO,.. you won't be missed.

[@maltymusk]

Wakey wakey, someone is sleeping

[@ownrhythm6536]

I don't think the new regulations will make people buy less beer and coolers when available in stores, so doesn't that mean the revenue will still come in, just different sources? I haven't looked that close, but it appears to me LCBO will do just fine with a continuing monopoly on spirits. All this talk of comparing Ontario to Alberta, but don't these changes bring us more in line with Quebec alcohol distribution? How has there alcohol tax revenues faired with SAQ and private retailers both getting a piece of the pie?

[@stephenstaeger1888]

Boo Hoo they might lose their monopoly.

[@Cameron-rb6xp]

I mean it could also just mean that people in Alberta drink more... which is probably true.

[@waynemanning3262]

Same problem in BC! The government should never be allowed to be in retail sales. The only job any liquor control board should do is to monitor retailers and distributors to make sure the regulations are being followed.

[@HavendaleBlvd80]

LCBO has hired and tossed thousands of employees hired through a temp agency for decades. Its a racket.

[@guffygums]

Ontario could always have higher income taxes like Alberta to make up the lost difference

[@houssamhaidar455]

Shutdown the lcbo..it is outdated ..let's follow Alberta model.

[@gloodle]

We actually have sales, Costco liquor, Safeway liquor, superstore liquor and every bottle, can, carton or jug we drink from is return to an independent bottle depot for recycling here in Alberta. Tell me why selling beer and whiskey needs to be a unionized government job? I’m from St. Catharines ON and seen what happened to union members. 4 GM plants, gone, TRW, gone, Hayes Dana, gone, wiser’s, gone. Port Weller dry docks, skeleton. Unions did so much for the workers they don’t even go to work anymore. There was definitely a time and an era when the unions were needed now look at the union buildings, how the union execs live and are paid and tell me that the union is there for the worker or is it there for the union.

[@LeanneBarbaraS]

Step one. Start selling beer in convenience/grocers Step two. Sell premade drinks in convenience/grocers Step three. Sell spirits. Questions. 1. How much is Lcbo billing these grocers/convenience stores every month? 2. How much will these stores dedicate to smaller unknown brands? 3. Whats the competitive part Ford talks about? Is there a price difference at lcbo, grocer and convience store? 4. Whats the difference to the makers of booze? Well the large ones( that will survive) said competition? 5. What happens to the employees when sales are down at the LCBO because booze was bought when getting groceries and I am not an alcoholic that needs 24hr booze at every corner convenience store. 6. How is ONTARIO CANADA CITIZENS making money outside of taxes? The money that helps to go to social benefits and medical? No Ford isnt privatizing. Hes for the people.

[@Exotic3000]

Thanks for posting! ❤

[@mastapeace593]

WE DONT WANT THE LCBO!!!

[@JessT-vg7ib]

If the LCBO is privatised Ontario will blow up...facts.

[@janetgage867]

The tax on alcohol applies whether the sale is in an LCBO or a retail store. The bonus is that if the government no longer had LCBO stores, that is a savings of building maintenance upkeep utilities and employees wages.

[@sonofculloden2]

Without the LCBO - how will certain members of society get their free booze? Who else is going to let them walk in and walk out without paying? Someone please think of the winos!!!!

[@tammyrobinson5249]

I don’t drink so won’t miss them on my end

[@finnmcginn9931]

I don't drink either but I feel people should have some choice with their shopping habits.

[@lawrencerobles6207]

Shut it down.

[@BirdmanHT07]

Meh, let the suits lose some of their bonuses and let the frontline workers get a cut. We always hear the gap is increasing, time for everyone to put their money where their mouth is. The suits do not need another Audi. Get paid over 400k/yr